Judge to hold hearing on post-conviction motion in Joseph Gentz case

Jul. 16, 2013

A post-conviction motion will be heard in the case of Joseph Gentz, shown in court Oct. 4, 2012, and who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December and admitted to killing Jane Bashara. / Regina H. Boone/Detroit Free Press

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Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

A former handyman convicted of murdering a Grosse Pointe Park mother will return to a Detroit courtroom Wednesday morning.

A post-conviction motion will be heard in the case of Joseph Gentz, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December and admitted to killing Jane Bashara.

Gentz’s attorney Susan Reed and a spokeswoman with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office declined to discuss details of the motion that will be heard by Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans.

“Further information about the motion will be placed on the record tomorrow in court,” Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Maria Miller said in a news release.

Gentz, who agreed to testify truthfully in any future proceedings, was sentenced to serve 17-28 years in prison for Bashara's death earlier this year.

Gentz has said Bob Bashara, Jane Bashara's husband, offered him money to kill his wife and threatened him if he didn't go through with it – a claim that Bob Bashara denies.

Bob Bashara has since been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder, suborning of perjuring during a capital trial, witness intimidation and obstruction of justice in connection with his wife's death.